8 - 22 August 2009
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350 Year Anniversary Exhibition
In August, many visitors attended the exhibition to mark 350 years of pupils at Heriot's. Titled The Heriot's Story, the exhibition included many artefacts seen in the school for the first time, and also offered visitors the opportunity to view the Council Room, Staff Room and Chapel. Many former pupils said this was the first time they had ever been in these rooms!
Visitors were welcomed by pupil guides and adults (many of whom were Governors) and many favourable comments were made in the visitors' book.
The exhibition was drawn up and prepared by Fraser Simm, the Treasurer, who was keen to throw a light on some of the lesser known aspects of the history Heriot's and to demonstrate the link between School and the City of Edinburgh, which dates back to the seventeenth century.
A highlight was "The Tales from the Turrets" (anecdotes of ghostly stories associated with the School and other nefarious deeds from the past) written by the Treasurer and excellently recorded by Jack McKenzie.
The list of artefacts from the 300th anniversary helped to trace George Heriot's Letter of Denization of 1611 to the Berkshire Records Office and this was on show for the first time in 50 years. Unfortunately it was not possible to locate the muskets which were used by the Hospital boys for drill practice and also on show in the 1959 exhibition!
In pride of place in the Council Room, the Loving Cup was admired by many former pupils who had not had the opportunity to see it before. By providing various personal artefacts, former pupils also helped to throw a light on day to day life in the School and these additions were greatly appreciated. Special interest was shown in the staff photograph from session 1958/59 and this is being made available to former pupils through Quadrangle.
One or two foreigners were puzzled that William Wallace was the architect, and many "old boys" took the opportunity to pass on anecdotes of their days in the School; Ian Smith and Kenny Milne were two former pupils who were able to view exhibits in which they featured and Gavin Esler and Sir Bob Richardson were two eminent Herioters who attended.